Type of Wood

Im going to build a rack for my snakes sometime this month and would like to know what type of wood is good to use and will last? Also if I go with plywood could the wood be stained or painted then sealed(meaning safe for snakes)? Thanks for any advice

for your fist question. "last" is relative you wont get the years from wood that you would get from a plastic rack :)

that being said, woods much cheaper.
The lightest option would be good both side plywood (pricey!) and then stain it.

give it a good seal. most people how ever use covered melamine. seal the ends. you should be able to get a few years from that :) but it is heavier.

I think i'm going to suck it up and have a plastic rack made. for my own sanity. lol

Thank you. Well my dad does cabinets and works with wood and said melamine would swell when i spilled water on it. I say when not if cause Im known for spilling their bowls.lol.

as long as you ensure the wood is sealed. i have built wood racks and have had mold on the wood.

remember the bottom of the shelves that are against the top of the container are exposed to a lot of humidity

Then again you could always get that melamine wrap and iron it onto really any wood :)

So then in that case it would probably be better just to go with melamine then?